Stabilizer for lower dentures



N. M. MACKAY.

STABILIZER FOR LOWER DENTURES- APPLICATIONYHLEVD JULY 30. 1920. RENEWED JUNE 10. 1922.

1 4352 7 I Patented Oct. 17, 1922.

a: JEMM N. M. Maqjf y I I ATTORNEY WITNESSES Patented Get. 17, 1 922.

isldfid tt e "rear series.

NORMAN 1VL MAGKAY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

STABILIZER FOR LOWER DENT'URES.

Application filed July 30, 1920, Serial No. 400,029. Renewed June 10, 1922.

To all 201 mm i1.- m-ay concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN M. MAGKAY,

a citizen of the United'States, residing at \Vorcester, in the county of Worcester and 5 State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stabilizers for Lower Dentures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a stabilizer for a lower denture, and the object is to overcome the tendency to looseness, common to lower sets of artificial teeth.

A further object is to provide specially shaped elements to be applied, respectively, to the right and left portions of the denture directly under the eye tooth, and near the edge of the finished denture after allowing for the clearance of the muscles, for the purpose of affording the necessary restoration and imparting weight and stability.

A still further object is to provide elements, located as indicated, of the proportions required for restoring the bulk thickness and additional weight natural to the cuspid eminence.

A further object is to provide a plurality of elements, being curved in the manner shown and provided on the inner or concaved side with engaging devices having undercut edge portions the outer or front surface including a plurality of shallow cup shaped portions which act during the natural movement of the jaw, in speaking, eating, or laughing, to impart a downward thrust, throwing the denture into positive contact with the ridge of the mouth.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction of the aforesaid elements and in the application thereof to the denture in the manner indicated.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a lower denture, with the suction devices applied thereto.

Figure Figure Figure section.

Figure 5 is a view of one of the suction plates in elevation, and on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a. vertical section of the structure in Figure 5.

2 is a bottom plan view.

3 is a v1ew1n front elevation.

a is a view 1n vertlcal transverse Serial No. 567,462.

.The denture is indicated by the reference numeral 10, and the stabilizing elements are shown at 11. and 12. Each element consists of a main portion 14, curved to conform with the curvature of-the element with which it is to'be applied, and includes an inner engaging device which may be of approxi mately the form shown at 15, this engaging device having undercut walls 16. The central portion of the element 14 projects upwardly as shown.

The outer surface is provided with a plurality of recessed projecting elements 18, which may be termed cup-shaped. Vhile the cup-shaped elements have upper edge portions which protrude slightly, the edge portions gradually taper toward the bottom, so that when the element is embedded, there is little or no lower ridge, rendering the cup-shaped elements effective to a maximum extent in cooperation with the muscles.

The elements referred to are so placed as illustrated in the drawings, that the centrally located cup-shaped element is directly under the eye tooth. They are placed low down, in order to be nearer the terminal edge of the finished denture, after allowing for clearance of the muscles. The front surfaces of these devices are covered with tin foil for protection during the finishing and polishing of the denture, the foil then being stripped off, and any ragged edges burnished with a blunt instrument.

The elements described are to be manufactured of the size required and formed of any suitable material, such as metal, or rubber, any substance suitable for use in the mouth, filling the requirement.

It is considered that the ordinary move ment of the lower jaw is utilized in a novel manner, by employing these elements for retaining the denture firmly in position, and that they are particularly valuable in connection with the fitting of dentures in mouths which have become shrunk and flat. The various portions of the devices described are so designed and proportioned that they conform to the line of deflection of the tisues where they meet and join with the base of the ridge, the inner surfaces of the tissues overlying .and being in gentle contact with the cupped surfaces. VJhereas the downward thrust referred to, is distinctly manifest during the movement of the aw, when the latter is at rest the action is lessened, and there is no continuous drawing of parts as with ordinary suction disks or the like.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A device for the purpose specified comprising a plate, having cup shaped elements formed on its outer surface, one of said elements being at the central portion and the remaining element being on opposite sides of the center, the edge portions of the cup shaped elements gradually receding downwardly.

2. A device for the purpose specified comprising a plate having curved inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being provided with a retaining device, and the outer surface with suction devices.

3. A device for the purpose specified eomprising a plate having a curved outer surface, and an upwardly extending portion at the central part thereof, said outer surface including a plurality of cup shaped elements forming suction devices.

4. In a device of the class described, a denture, and a pair of elements mounted on the forward portion thereof at points spaced from the center and comprising curved plates, each provided with cup shaped elements.

5. The combination with a lower denture, of suction elements embedded in the forward portion thereof at points spaced from the center and positioned opposite the cuspids.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

NORMAN M. MAcKAY. 

